Class: Phragmites australis Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation (Reedgrass Marsh) TNC Alliance Code: V. A. 5. N. n. 7.  4187 CMI Code: 4187 Island Locator: Fire Island and the Floyd Estate Cross Section:

TNC Alliance Description: This community occurs in tidal salt marshes where soil disturbance has occurred. The substrate is characterized by shallow peat over sand. This tall tidal grassland is dominated by dense stands of Phragmites australis, which tends to form a monoculture where it occurs.  Baccharis halimifolia is a short shrub occurring in smaller patches beneath the Phragmites. Toxicodendron radicans forms a sparse vine layer.  Pluchea odorata and Cyperus polystachyos occur locally at the edges of the wettest parts of the brackish swales and generally have very low percent cover.
 

Photo Interpretation: This widespread type is found in and around most wetland areas on both the Floyd Estate and Fire Island. It has variable color and texture on the photographs ranging from a very "soft" light brown/tan to a dark, "dirty" looking brown at the high ends of the salt marshes. There is often a readily identifiable band of horizontal debris associated with the bay-side of these polygons which can aid in identifying the taller Phragmites stands.
 

Aerial Photos:

Field Notes:  Monotypic (or nearly so) stands of Phragmites in tidally influenced salt marshes.
 

Ground Photos:

Similar Alliances:  Baccharis halmifolia - Iva frutescens / Panicum virgatum Shrubland (Northern Salt Shrub): Dominated by Baccharis halimifolia rather than Phragmites australis.